One in five children in the U.S. is neurodivergent, yet one in three educators believes learning disabilities are just laziness. In this episode of Cool Cat Teacher Talk, host Vicki Davis sits down with two remarkable guests who are changing how we think about neurodiversity in the classroom. Dr. Sue Fletcher-Watson from the University of Edinburgh shares the neurodiversity paradigm, the double empathy problem, and why the quiet room that never gets used might be the most powerful support you can offer. Then Vanessa Castañeda Gill, diagnosed with autism and ADHD at 14, shares how one teacher's harsh words kept her from raising her hand until college — and what every teacher can do differently.

In this episode, you'll learn how to:

• Understand the neurodiversity paradigm and why it matters for every classroom
• Apply the double empathy problem to rethink communication breakdowns with students
• Use monotropism and flow states as strengths rather than problems to manage
• Give neurodivergent students processing time, transition warnings, and flexible seating
• Create safe spaces that students may never need to use — because they exist
• Help students build self-advocacy skills that last a lifetime

Show notes and resources: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/neurodiverseclass

Nearly half of teachers say their students show little to no interest in learning. In this episode of Cool Cat Teacher Talk, four educators from around the world share what actually works to build classroom culture that transforms learning. From student motivation to productive struggle to teaching thinking on purpose, this episode is packed with practical strategies you can use right away.

In this episode, you'll learn how to:

• Build student motivation by getting to know your students and being vulnerable with them
• Help students embrace productive struggle using James Nottingham's Learning Pit
• Teach thinking explicitly with routines like See, Think, Wonder
• Create school cultures where every voice can speak honestly without apology
• Celebrate small wins to build momentum for bigger victories

Dr. Tracee Perryman, James Nottingham, Daron "Coach Frank" Franklin, and Alice Vigors light up this show with their expertise and motivation to help all of us improve the culture in our classrooms today.

Show notes and resources: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/culture2026

Why are students forgetting everything you just told them? How do class rosters make or break a school year? This Epic Elementary Supershow brings together seven expert educators to tackle the challenges elementary teachers face every day. From executive functioning to differentiated math instruction to a remarkable story of 91% reading proficiency, this episode delivers research-backed strategies you can use right away.

Guests featured in this episode:

• Dr. Sarah Oberle — Executive functioning in the elementary classroom
• Carrie Hetzel — Class rostering for balanced classrooms
• Dr. Carol Ann Tomlinson — Differentiated math instruction
• Malia Hollowell — Science of reading practices
• Jennifer Burns — Reading and writing instruction
• Heather Marrs — Classroom gamification
• Ezera Washington — New Jersey Governor's Educator of the Year, reading instruction and classroom transformation

In this episode, you'll learn how to:

• Reduce hidden cognitive demands on students by simplifying instructions and using visual reminders
• Make rostering decisions that set teachers and students up for success
• Differentiate math instruction using flexible grouping and pre-assessment data
• Support struggling writers with sentence stems while building independence
• Gamify your classroom to boost engagement without losing instructional focus
• Circulate and give real-time feedback during independent work instead of waiting to grade papers later

Show notes and resources: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/elementary